Business · Oxford
Oxford bar ordered to pay nearly £7,000 for illegal shisha advertising
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A company operating an Oxford city centre bar has been fined following an investigation into illegal tobacco promotion on social media.
A company operating a popular Oxford bar has been ordered to pay nearly £7,000 in fines and costs after admitting to the illegal advertising of waterpipe tobacco products, commonly known as shisha.
Spirit Bar Ltd, which manages Thirst Bar on Park End Street, pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 during a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 2 October 2026. The prosecution followed a thorough investigation by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.
The council's investigation examined the business's social media activity over several years, identifying numerous posts on Facebook and Instagram that promoted shisha products. Evidence submitted to the court included photos, videos, and hashtags used to highlight shisha-related pricing and signage at the venue's garden area. The company admitted that these posts were specifically designed to attract customers to the bar.
Councillor Kate Gregory, the council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, emphasised the importance of the ruling: "The law is clear. Tobacco advertising has been prohibited for many years because of the known harm caused by tobacco products. Businesses must ensure their websites, social media accounts and promotional material comply with the law."
This conviction is the latest in a series of enforcement actions involving the venue. In January 2026, an Oxford City Council licensing subcommittee reviewed the premises licence for Thirst Bar following concerns raised by trading standards regarding its shisha operations. That review resulted in a temporary suspension of the licence and the imposition of strict conditions, including a complete ban on the supply of waterpipe tobacco at the site.
Separately, in July 2026, the individual who operated the shisha business at the Thirst Bar venue, Sami Shridi, pleaded guilty to offences related to the sale of non-compliant waterpipe tobacco products. He was ordered to pay £2,333 in fines and costs.
Davina Walkin, Trading Standards Operations Manager for Oxfordshire County Council, stated that the department remains committed to monitoring such activities. "Trading standards will continue to take action when businesses unlawfully promote tobacco products. This prosecution forms part of our ongoing work to reduce the availability and promotion of tobacco products and protect public health across the county."
The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 makes it illegal for businesses to publish advertisements where the primary purpose or effect is to promote the use of tobacco products.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original